Think you can’t host a
girls night or romantic dinner for two in your Manhattan apartment? Think
again, ladies and gents! After moving into a 350 square foot studio in the East
Village this summer, I hosted my first soiree for three of my best gal pals last weekend. We
enjoyed a night of endless pours of wine, an indulgent cheese plate and were
treated to Butternut Skillet Shells prepared by the lovely Caitlin of Style Within Reach.
It may be a tight squeeze
to get everyone seated and you may even lack counter space to chop up your
ingredients, but here are some helpful tips to successfully throw a dinner
party in a tiny New York City apartment.
Keep it clean and tidy. In a tiny studio or loft your guests will be
forced to see everything. And that means e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Sweep under your
bed, Swiffer the bathroom floor, scrub that tub and make sure your mini closet
isn’t so stuffed that clothes or boxes will come tumbling out.
Utilize table space. Clear off your coffee table or pick up a trendy
tray (like this one I now have in my apartment) and keep it stocked with
napkins, coasters and space for your guests’ cocktails. Or you can set it up
like a buffet, if that’s your only tabletop space, so your guests can circle
around it to sample and snack.
Get creative with places to sit. Alternative seating like stools, folding chairs
and oversized pillows on the floor will open up space for your friends’
bottoms. And trust that some of your guests will feel most comfortable standing
and walking around to mingle, so you don't need a seat for everyone.
A kitchen cart isn’t just for cooking. Set up your bar or appetizers on your drop-leaf
kitchen cart for friends to gather around. I used mine for a cheese plate and
to set jars of flowers. On weekdays, this cart is where I chop up veggies
and even where I sit to work from home and write.
Play DJ.
Plan ahead with a party playlist or assign this to one of your musically
inclined pals. When guests begin to arrive, it’s nice to have music on in the
background to keep introductions from getting awkward for those who are just
meeting for your party.
Dim the lights. There’s nothing less flattering than an overhead light. Turn on your
floor and table lamps to keep the lighting more dark and sexy than showroom-bright.
Party-proof your delicates. In a small space, people will bump into furniture
or elbow into their wine glasses. Move anything breakable into your closet or
to the top of a bookcase or high shelf. Cleaning up broken glass mid-party is a
buzz killer.
Display coats, purses and luggage. Most of us New Yorkers don’t have a true coat
closet (because it’s also stuffed with shoes, belts, blankets, etc). Invite
your friends to place their outerwear and bags on your bed (which will be
fixed, of course) to free up space.
Stock up on toiletries. Make sure you’ve got toilet paper, paper towels
and plenty of trash bags for post-party cleanup.
Relax and enjoy! Remember, that your friends love you and are excited to check out your
pad and hang out. Don’t stress about the small details. Sip your cocktail, make
sure to have a few bites and spend the evening laughing. xo
Some really great tips here! Thanks!
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